A bomb disposal team works to remove the device. Picture: Royal Navy

The object – identified as a Canadian pipe bomb – was removed from the ground at the former HMS Daedalus site in Lee-on-the-Solent early this morning.

It was then taken to Browndown Range in Gosport and destroyed at 7.30am.

Speaking about the device – which emerged during construction work for a new sub station on Swordfish Business Park – lieutenant commander Jonny Campbell said: ‘Since Canadian pipe bombs are known to be potentially hazardous, a cordon and evacuation plan was implemented while trying to minimise disruption but maximise public safety.

‘Investigation work including metal detection, ground penetrating radar (GPR) and careful exploitation of the item continued all the way through the night, challenging the team to complete the task safely and quickly.’